Elias Hardy

Hardy, Elias

Elias Hardy, lawyer, politician (b at Farnham, Surrey, Eng c 1744; d at Saint John 25 Dec 1798). Hardy immigrated to Virginia in 1775; like most LOYALISTS he sympathized with America in its quarrel with Britain but opposed the ultimate solution of colonial independence. He became one of thousands who migrated northward to Saint John (then part of NS) in 1783. As leader of the bitter agitation for speedy and equitable land distribution, he allied politically with NS governor John Parr in his futile efforts to prevent the separation of NB in 1784. When the new colony had its first election (1785), Hardy skilfully channelled popular discontent into opposition to the lieutenant-governor of NB, Thomas CARLETON. Hardy was elected to the assembly, though the remainder of his political career (1786-95) was relatively uneventful. Meanwhile, he quickly established himself as NB's leading lawyer.